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This should have been in several top lists for 2005, but I guess the underground nature kept it well below most radars. For those familiar with Rampage (the one from the US and the only one that's mandatory), Lord Vic is one of the members of this band and also produced the album. "Blackened Thrash" is the best genre I can use to describe this band, an overall old school style but with a slightly modern touch in term of sound (and no, this does not mean that they are anything like that crap called "modern thrash".) Even though most songs are quite memorable musically, it is the vocalist that comes to mind anytime I think of Death Beast. That guy is insane. The vocals are relatively clean in that it's neither growls nor screeches, but he has a rather... "chaotic" style that mixes anger, anguish and downright insanity. Hard to describe, and definitely not for those used to "clean" thrash like Megadeth and early Metallica for instance. It took a couple of listens to get used to it, but now I'm addicted.

The album has a dark atmosphere that fits the aforementioned vocals perfectly. Set by some rather "disturbing" intro that sounds like what you'd hear if you were entering Hell, the rest of the album has that uneasy insane feeling, yet the guys managed to mix in a catchy, rocking feel to the whole thing. So yeah, you're in hell but you're rocking along the ride. And two little surprises to close the album: Covers of "Witches Sabbath" by Nasty Savage and "Stay Hungry" by Twisted Sister. Both very unique covers, and both excellent. They did a great job adding their signature sound without compromising the originals. This is an album that speaks for itself and is very hard to describe with words, so I suggest you head to their web site and check out some of the samples there. Let me end this review with this note: If you don't like this, I suggest you drive to a tall bridge and end your misery. ;) Highly recommended album, in case that wasn't clear from the beginning.